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cnbc.com
Google is expanding its AI empire — and losing the people who built it
Google’s cloud boom is testing the company's commitment to frontier AI as commercial returns take priority.
cnbc.com
U.S., Israeli ships blocked in Hormuz Strait under draft plan: Iran state media
Iran denied it was in talks with Washington, despite claims by President Trump to the contrary.
bbc.co.uk
EasyJet agrees to £5.7bn takeover by US firm
The no-frills carrier agrees to be bought by US firm Apollo after a rival suitor drops out.
cnbc.com
The divide between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk is widening after their latest earnings
As Lilly widens its lead in the obesity race, Novo is still racing to win back market share and restore investor confidence in its pipeline.
cnbc.com
Treasury yields rise as traders sharpen focus on rates
Treasury yields rose on Thursday, as traders weighed the prospect of interest rate rises.
theguardian.com
Diageo to nearly double Guinness production and cut jobs in turnaround plan
New CEO Dave Lewis lifts investors’ spirits by promising strategic overhaul worthy of his nickname ‘Drastic Dave’Diageo’s new chief executive has unveiled plans to nearly double Guinness production while hacking back a “significant” proportion of its 30,000-strong workforce, in a strategic overhaul worthy of his nickname, “Drastic” Dave Lewis.Shares in Diageo bounced on Thursday, as the former Tesco boss faced down the first big test of his initial half-year in the job, after being parachuted in last November to revive the flagging fortunes of the UK-based drinks company. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump wins last-minute reprieve temporarily blocking BBC access to his business records
Trump sued the BBC for $10 billion, alleging its 2024 “Panorama” documentary about the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack defamed him.
bbc.co.uk
First OpenAI, now Meta - why do AI hacks keep happening?
A flood of companies are revealing AI models gained access to the internet - with real consequences.
cnbc.com
Restaurant Brands International earnings beat as Burger King's U.S. business soars
Burger King's U.S. business reported same-store sales growth of 8.5%.
cnbc.com
'AI Kill Switch' bill needs to be passed this year amid ongoing rogue agent hacks, Rep. Lieu says
Anthropic, Meta and OpenAI have all had incidents of AI models hacking other companies during cybersecurity testing.
theguardian.com
Trains stop across north-west England after power cut hits signalling centre
Passengers awaiting Northern and TransPennine trains advised not to travel, with cancellations and other services delayedTrains across parts of north-west England have ground to a halt after a power failure hit the signalling centre controlling the railway in the region.Passengers awaiting Northern and TransPennine trains have been advised not to travel, with widespread cancellations and other services delayed by more than an hour already. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
SpaceX stock could face further pressure as first batch of shares unlock since IPO
With the first tranche of SpaceX shares held by insiders unlocking, the stock could see downward pressure.
cnbc.com
Fox advertising, streaming service Tubi get boost from World Cup
Fox advertising revenue increased 78% during the quarter primarily due to the FIFA Men's World Cup and growth at ad-supported streaming service Tubi.
cnbc.com
Versant shares surge 10% after company raises 2026 outlook on platforms, advertising momentum
Versant noted revenue growth in its platforms business, which includes Fandango and GolfNow, and now, the recent acquisition of Full Swing.
theguardian.com
Paramount concessions lead UK to approve takeover of Warner Bros
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy says she will not intervene in £85bn deal after securing guarantees on Channel 5The UK culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, has said she will not intervene in Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, removing one of the remaining obstacles to the blockbuster deal.However, Paramount has made significant concessions to secure the UK government’s backing for the $110bn (£85bn) takeover, which will create a global media powerhouse and effectively bolster the influence of Paramount’s chief executive, David Ellison. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
EasyJet agrees to £5.7bn takeover by US private equity firm
Airline says it has accepted offer from Apollo Global Management after rival bidder Castlelake walks awayEasyJet has formally agreed to a £5.7bn takeover from US private equity firm Apollo Global Management.The airline announced it had accepted a firm offer on Thursday after a rival bidder, Castlelake, said it would no longer pursue its attempted acquisition. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Cashing in on SpaceX: 'Every chance I get, I'll sell a little more'
Andre Lavoie joined SpaceX in 2009 as an engineer, now he's looking to cash in his shares in the company.
theguardian.com
Fifa World Cup ad income boosts Fox’s revenue to $4.21bn in fourth quarter
Average cost of a 30-second spot during tournaments airing on Fox was reportedly between $200,000 and $750,000Fox Corp, parent company of Fox News and the US broadcaster of the Fifa World Cup, reported revenue up 28% to $4.21bn in the fiscal fourth quarter, thanks largely to advertising income from the soccer tournament.Advertising revenue jumped 78%, the company reported on Thursday. Overall, revenue for the 2026 fiscal year came in at $17.13bn, a 5% increase from last year. Analysts surveyed by FactSet forecast revenue for the quarter of $3.64bn. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Hospital staff work in pubs to balance cost pressure
The cost of parking at Medway Maritime Hospital has increased while shift wages have reduced by 20%.
cnbc.com
World's biggest spirits maker pops 4% on $1 billion cost-cutting plan
Diageo, whose brands include Johnnie Walker scotch whisky, Captain Morgan rum and Guinness stout, said costs relating to the savings program will amount to $1.2 billion.
theguardian.com
Octopus Energy denies it is anti-union as GMB pushes for recognition for workers
Union says that as a top-rated ethical company, UK’s largest energy firm should welcome its involvementGMB is pushing for union recognition at the UK’s largest energy company, Octopus Energy, known as a progressive organisation with a focus on renewable energy.The union is planning to submit a formal proposal for voluntary recognition at the London-based company and says Octopus, as a top rated ethical business, should welcome the involvement of trade unions. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Applovin stock tanks on Q2 revenue miss
Shares of Applovin tanked 17% Thursday off a second-quarter earnings miss, falling short of analysts' expectations for revenue.
cnbc.com
SoftBank gets $8.2 billion boost from Intel as OpenAI takes a backseat
SoftBank on Thursday reported profit for its fiscal first quarter that beat market expectations.
cnbc.com
Opinion: Demis Hassabis’ new role exposes Google’s AI balancing act
Demis Hassabis’ new role highlights the tension between his scientific ambitions and Google’s pressure to commercialize and scale AI.
bbc.co.uk
Shorts, strappy tops and sandals: What is acceptable to wear to work?
Here's how to style for success while keeping your cool - and where you and your boss stand on your wardrobe.
theguardian.com
Raleigh bike brand faces chop after owner begins insolvency proceedings
Fate of historic bicycle name in hands of administrators after Netherlands-based Accell Group fails to find buyerThe bicycle company that owns the historic Raleigh brand has started insolvency proceedings after failing to find a buyer.The Netherlands-based Accell Group said on Wednesday it had called in administrators after it failed to find a viable solution to continue its operations in their current form. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Owner of bike maker Raleigh files for insolvency
Accell, based in the Netherlands, has owned the famous bike brand since 2012.
cnbc.com
EU urges Caribbean nations to shut down golden passport programs or face travel restrictions
EU urges Caribbean nations to shut down golden passport programs or face travel restrictions
cnbc.com
Ukraine’s military hits one of Russia’s biggest oil refineries in long-range drone attack
The Slavneft-Yanos facility in Yaroslavl, which is situated hundreds of miles from the Ukraine border, is one of Russia's biggest oil refineries.
theguardian.com
‘Mamma mia!’: Trump tariffs refund ignites 53% profit spike at Nintendo
Profit jump fuelled largely by unknown US refund amount as Japanese video game firm records quarterly sales dropNintendo has reported a jump in profits, as the Japanese game maker’s earnings were buoyed up by a long-awaited refund on Donald Trump’s tariffs.The company said profits surged 53.5% to ¥147.4bn (£694m) over the three months to June, substantially beating expert forecasts for ¥77.8bn. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Car washes and vape shops can still sponsor skilled foreign workers despite visa changes
The rules were tightened in July 2025 to restrict the scheme mostly to graduate-level employees who would be earning at least £41,700.
theguardian.com
‘Do we really need huge cruise ships here?’: fears £150m Falmouth Docks plan threatens habitats – and town itself
Plans involve dredging and expanding docks to allow larger cruise ships to visit with up to 200,000 passengers annuallyJanavi Kramer had just enjoyed a swim with friends and was sitting on a bench taking in a wonderful Cornish view – headlands plunging into deep water, bobbing boats, a bustling harbour town.“We’re lucky to have this space,” said Kramer, who is an artist and scientific illustrator. “We use it for work, recreation and pleasure and it’s so scary to think that this could all be harmed. I worry about what we may be living with soon and what we’ll be leaving for future generations.” Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Exclusive: Emails reveal Palmer Luckey’s political fundraising as his company wins sole-source contracts
Co-founder of defense firm Anduril has donated $5.9m to Republicans and bundled more, while reaping billions in Pentagon contractsWealthy Republicans on the west coast received an emailed invitation in July to an upcoming fundraiser titled “Keep the Senate”. The email, obtained by the Guardian, described the event as a “private roundtable and dinner with the National Republican Senatorial Committee” where donors can pledge $50,000 for seats at the head table, and mingle with legislative heavy hitters from Capitol Hill including the Senator majority leader, John Thune, and Mike Rogers, who is running for Senate in Michigan with Donald Trump’s endorsement.One of the organizers listed on the invite was the defense industry tycoon Palmer Luckey, the 33-year-old co-founder of sprawling weapons manufacturer Anduril Industries. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Positive Persimmon looks to tap into ‘Burnham bounce’ on housebuilding
Firm lifts outlook, saying it is well placed to benefit from PM’s focus on new homes despite cost pressures from Iran warThe UK housebuilder Persimmon has lifted its outlook for the full year, saying it is “well-placed” to benefit from the prime minister Andy Burnham’s policy agenda, despite growing costs linked to the Iran war.As confidence rises across the housebuilding sector, Persimmon plans to complete 12,500 new homes by year-end, which would be at the upper reach of its previous guidance. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tech companies know everything about me – so why do they try to sell me so much rubbish? | Joel Snape
No, Amazon, I do not want to buy another version of the thing I just bought, or any other random object I don’t recognise or understandWe live, as I’m sure someone’s chief growth officer has recently boasted on an earnings call, in a golden age for data capture. Jeff Bezos knows what I buy, read and watch; Mark Zuckerberg will be aware that I recently sold a car transport box for a medium-sized dog. I’ve been ruthlessly conditioned into clicking Accept All Cookies every time I want to check how much cumin my favourite chilli needs, and I simply accept that my washing machine is probably spying on me.All of which raises the obvious question: with all of these terabytes of personal information available, why can’t advertisers try to sell me something I might actually like? Every time I swipe open my Kindle, for instance, I dismiss an advert for a bestselling trilogy called something like Ruthless Faerie Werewolves or Evil Mafia Hunk, even though I have never once – in my life – read a book where the main character could be described as a “morally grey shadow daddy”. I stopped watching Stranger Things after one season, and yet Netflix, which should know this better than anyone, has suggested the stage-play version to me so many times that I can recite its ad from memory. Amazon seems to have given up on predicting my needs and advertises the same one-off purchases that I’ve just bought, while Reddit and X want me to buy software products that I genuinely don’t understand. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'I've had to Botox my CV': Are AI recruitment tools affecting women's careers?
Are AI recruitment tools disadvantaging women who are seeking to return to the workplace?
cnbc.com
AstraZeneca may buck a decade of pharma strategy to buy U.S. scale
Reports of preliminary talks between AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb moved shares and reignited debate over Big Pharma consolidation.
bbc.co.uk
Thousands of young people missing out on money they don't know about
People aged between 18 and 23 may have thousands in unclaimed government accounts.
cnbc.com
Rheinmetall stock volatile after trimming guidance as Germany's F126 warship cancellation hits sales outlook
The company's sales grew 39% and profits grew 74% in the first half of the year.
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: A super Thursday of earnings and hopes for Iran detente
Investors in Europe are assessing a stacked earnings docket, U.S.-Iran deal inching forward, and a Fed warming to a rate hike.
bbc.co.uk
Air India's new CEO faces financial and safety turbulence
The aftermath of last's year deadly crash and mounting financial losses will be Gebremariam's main challenges.
cnbc.com
Beijing flips the script on the U.S. tech war — and tests the truce weeks before Xi's visit
China unleashed its broadest package of trade countermeasures since last October's trade truce, pushing back against a string of recent U.S. restrictions.
theguardian.com
Starbucks Korea raided by police after ‘Tank Day’ campaign sparks public outrage
Coffee chain has faced backlash over marketing promotion tied to anniversary of Gwangju massacreSouth Korean police have raided the headquarters of Starbucks Korea as part of an investigation into a marketing campaign accused of trivialising the country’s 1980s pro-democracy movement.Investigators searched the building in southern Seoul on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday. No further details were released, although South Korean media reported that officers also searched the homes of the Starbucks Korea executives. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
SpaceX moon crash is a perfect metaphor for rocket maker’s share price, analysts say
Parts of a SpaceX rocket reportedly crashed into the moon on Wednesday
cnbc.com
Nintendo's fiscal first-quarter profit and revenue beat estimates, despite Switch 2 sales slump
Nintendo reported fiscal first-quarter earnings Thursday.
theguardian.com
Healey urged to be bold on borrowing in first test of Burnham’s growth pledge
Some want the chancellor to exploit newly flexible fiscal rules – others want a more creative approach, such as borrowing from marketsWith just 12 weeks to go until his first budget, new chancellor John Healey is seeking ways to ramp up public investment, without busting the Treasury’s fiscal rules – and some economists are urging him to be bold.As he settles into No 11 Downing Street, the former defence secretary’s most immediate challenges concern day-to-day government spending. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Council wants pubs in London’s Soho and West End to ban standing
Sadiq Khan criticises Westminster council’s ‘anti-growth policies’ after it recommends stopping ‘vertical drinking’Waiting at the bar and trying to catch the bartender’s eye so you can order a pint, before going to stand with your friends and have a catchup, has been how British people have experienced going to the pub for centuries.But Westminster council has been accused of trying to put a stop to it. The council, which has jurisdiction over one of the busiest nightlife districts in Europe – Soho and the West End – has recommended not allowing “vertical drinking” or ordering at the bar in its new draft licensing policy. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Meta becomes latest firm to say its AI hacked another company
Meta is the latest company to disclose an AI agent breach, raising cyber-security concerns.
cnbc.com
Asian tech stocks drop with SK Hynix plunging 10% after Wall Street AI names fall
Despite heightened volatility analysts remain optimistic over the outlook of the tech sector, with J.P. Morgan saying the tech sell-off had not derailed the AI investment cycle.
bbc.co.uk
Winemakers prosper but veg farms wilt in the drought
Growers in the West of England search for new crops to grow in a changing climate.
cnbc.com
Bain Capital to acquire bubble tea chain Gong cha as rival MBK grapples with regulatory pressure at home
Bain Capital announced it will acquire Gong cha as MBK faces regulatory pressure in South Korea.
bbc.co.uk
The homeowners selling up for a life on the water
Growing numbers of people are swapping mortgages for moorings amid the cost of living crisis.
bbc.co.uk
Uniform bank now helping working families
The Community Cupboard offers used school uniform in West Kingsdown and Swanley, Kent.
bbc.co.uk
Bid to extend holiday food and activities programme
The authority will consider who should deliver the holiday activity and meal scheme going forward.
theguardian.com
‘I’m not spying’: how Meta’s smartglasses have divided opinion
While some users say the wearables have changed their lives, critics voice fears over safety and privacyWith more than 7m pairs reportedly sold in 2025, Meta’s Ray-Ban smartglasses are fast becoming one of the world’s most popular gadgets.While supporters say they are transforming photography and accessibility, critics have raised concerns about nonconsensual filming, privacy and data collection. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon warns of high leverage: 'Somebody will disrupt the market'
JPMorgan Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon warned that leverage across financial markets remains elevated, adding that investors should be mindful that hidden borrowing could amplify market disruptions.
bbc.co.uk
Iran says deal with Oman on Strait of Hormuz is in final stages
Neither the US or Oman have commented on the proposed agreement on the vital waterway.
cnbc.com
Inside India newsletter: What's behind India’s rush to sell shares in state-owned firms
India is ramping up stake sales in state-owned companies to keep the growth engine running amid growing fiscal constraints
bbc.co.uk
US beef prices have soared but farmers aren't making more money
The meat has never been more expensive, due to supply shortages, but there's a big squeeze on profits.
theguardian.com
Big shake-up in Google’s AI team as DeepMind chief executive steps down
Two senior engineers are leaving company to launch startup amid fears Google is falling behind in AI raceSir Demis Hassabis is stepping down as chief executive of Google DeepMind, in a leadership overhaul of the UK-based AI research lab.Hassabis, a Nobel prize recipient, is leaving his main managerial role to become chair of DeepMind – as well as taking on the new position of chief scientist at Alphabet, which is Google’s parent company. DeepMind will now be led by Koray Kavukcuoglu, its chief technology officer, under the title of senior vice-president. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Infantino sorry for errors but stays Fifa president
Gianni Infantino will remain Fifa president after receiving backing from senior executives, but "sincerely apologises" for errors in his controversial private investment plans.
bbc.co.uk
Trump administration pays back $100bn in 'Liberation Day' tariffs to businesses
It represents roughly 60% of all tariff revenue collected under the policy, with billions still to be repaid.
cnbc.com
Google's AI reshuffle: Chief scientist Jeff Dean exits and Demis Hassabis steps down as DeepMind CEO
Google's AI divisions are getting reshuffled, the search giant announced on Wednesday.
bbc.co.uk
Student loan repayment rates an 'unsustainable burden', chancellor told
More than 120 MPs and peers have asked John Healey to carry out an "urgent review" of repayments.
theguardian.com
Soriot should explain the curious case of AstraZeneca’s non-deal
AstraZeneca’s rumoured takeover of Bristol Myers Squibb already looked weird, and was met with a lack of enthusiasm by shareholdersAstraZeneca falls to third-largest UK company amid US merger talksHold the heartburn pills. It seems AstraZeneca is no longer contemplating a takeover of US rival Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) to create a $400bn (£300bn) pharmaceutical colossus. On Monday, the UK firm’s shares plunged 9% on the FT’s report of preliminary talks. On Wednesday, Reuters said there are no ongoing discussions. Cue a mini-relief rally in AZ’s share price.Neither company has seen fit to tell its shareholders what was happening, so it’s impossible to know if the talks were a tentative ‘what if?’ corporate flirtation or something more substantial that has been killed, perhaps, by the lack of enthusiasm on the part of AZ’s shareholders. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Judge casts doubt on future of WH Smith replacement TG Jones
Mr Justice Hildyard, who approved rescue plan in July, said turnaround plan came with ‘very considerable’ risksThe judge who approved a rescue plan for the former WH Smith high street business – now named TG Jones – cast doubt on the future prospects of the retailer, suggesting there were “very considerable” risks in achieving a turnaround.“This has all the hallmarks of an adventurous equity play,” wrote Mr Justice Hildyard in his judgment published on Wednesday, after he last month approved the restructuring, which involves the closure of 150 of the books-to-paperclips retailer’s 450 stores. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why I'll never be convinced by Meta's ‘pervert’ glasses | Opinion
'Most people don’t want pervert glasses that can film us without our consent,' said a spokesperson from activist group Everyone Hates Elon. The group has launched a series of guerilla adverts deriding non-consensual filming by the glasses as well as an email campaign encouraging people to legally object to being filmed by Meta glasses under general data protection regulations, which over 20,000 people have signed.Rights groups have warned that the glasses threaten the right to privacy, while countries such as Germany are reportedly considering a ban.And while Meta’s safety guidelines say smart glasses should not be used for 'harassment, infringing on privacy rights, or capturing sensitive information', women have taken to social media to share their stories of being filmed by men without their consent.Watch as Guardian columnist and Opinion editor Kirsty Major dives into why fears of surveillance and 'creepy men' mean Meta can never convince her to love the glasses – and read more about the glasses via the link in the bio Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
SpaceX shares sink after first earnings report reveals huge AI spending plans
Elon Musk told investors that people were "underestimating" his company.
theguardian.com
Darth Vader to become a TikTok star as Disney strikes deal on short video
Characters and memorable scenes from back catalogue made available to group of creator fansThe likes of Darth Vader, Spider-Man and Moana are about to become TikTok stars for the first time – at least now on an official basis – after Walt Disney struck a “first of its kind” deal with the booming short-video platform.In an acknowledgment of the influence fan-made content now has in the entertainment industry, a select group of creators will be allowed to use characters and memorable scenes from Disney’s back catalogue. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Disney agrees deal to let TikTokers use its films and TV shows in videos
A deal between will allow some creators to use clips from Disney films and TV shows in their videos.
theguardian.com
Teachers need help with AI. A union is offering training – with $23m in funding from big tech
Partnership between American Federation of Teachers, one of the largest labor unions in the US, and AI firms has stirred controversyDarius Saczuk, a high school teacher, views artificial intelligence as his enemy. Earlier this year, he and several dozen New York City teachers spent the day inside a windowless conference room in downtown Manhattan to learn how to use AI and prevent students from outsourcing their thinking to it.As Saczuk sees it, he needs to understand his enemy in order to beat it. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
UK petrol prices hit highest level since Iran war began
The price of unleaded hits 160p a litre, according to motoring group the RAC, as oil prices remain elevated.
theguardian.com
Why is Anthropic destroying books? | Kathryn James
The AI company apparently found destructively scanning ‘all the books in the world’ easier than dealing with copyright in its quest for training dataShould we destroy all the books in the world?An answer to this question can be found in the court documents of Bartz v Anthropic PBC. The northern California district court case, decided in late July this year, highlighted the improbably named “Project Panama”, one of the AI company Anthropic’s efforts to improve its large language model Claude. “What is Project Panama?” court exhibit 21 asks, in an internal memo. The answer: “Project Panama is our effort to destructively scan all the books in the world.” The memo advises discretion: “Why use a codename? … [B]ecause we don’t want it to be known that we are working on this.” Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
The Sims and EA FC maker Electronic Arts sells for $55bn to Saudi-led group
The deal takes the maker of titles including The Sims and EA FC into private ownership - and loads it with debt.
bbc.co.uk
Prioritise new jobs over green targets to win public contracts, firms told
The changes are part of government efforts to tackle the youth unemployment crisis.
bbc.co.uk
What happened to the internet?
Faced with a barrage of ads, misinformation, AI slop, toxicity and doom-scrolling, it can feel like the internet is kind of... broken. Is it? And what are the alternatives?
bbc.co.uk
Anthropic AI used fake profiles to target people in hack then hid the evidence
The UK's AI Safety Institute said recent behaviour from Anthropic and OpenAI models was malicious and unprecedented.
theguardian.com
‘If we don’t fight back, we don’t have a future’: the journalist taking on the ‘tech fascists’ of Silicon Valley
As Elon Musk, Peter Thiel and their peers have grown richer and more influential, Gil Durán argues they have all but abandoned democracy – and found the perfect government to enable themIn April, Gil Durán was permanently banned from Elon Musk’s X for posting just two words. Durán was responding to a post from the tech company Palantir outlining its 22‑point “technological manifesto”, which praised American “hard power”, western culture and AI weapons, denounced inclusivity and called for compulsory national service. Durán responded: “TLDR: Fascism” (TLDR is short for “too long, didn’t read”).Durán didn’t break any of X’s written rules, he points out over a video call from San Francisco – so much for Musk’s “free-speech absolutism”. His ban might just have had something to do with his preceding tweet, showing the cover of his new book, The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy. The book’s central argument is that big tech is no longer our friend, as many of its billionaire owners have seized economic and political control and are steering the fate of the planet towards their own bizarre, apocalyptic visions. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Vegetables to get smaller and more expensive due to hot weather, farmers warn
This year's harvest could be the worst on record due to the exceptionally dry spring and summer.
cnbc.com
Europe is blowing up riverbeds as an extreme drought wreaks havoc on its economy
Severe drought is disrupting energy and freight across Europe as low Rhine and Danube levels raise risks for supply chains and economic growth.
bbc.co.uk
Police raid Starbucks Korea headquarters over 'Tank Day' fiasco
People have filed complaints against Starbucks for allegedly making light of the deadly Gwangju Uprising.
theguardian.com
Democracy is at stake when foolish humans bet on machines being intelligent | Rafael Behr
We need an enlightened US president to make the case for global AI regulation. Donald Trump is the exact opposite of what is neededWhen I am woken by the sound of my dog whining, I understand that she is hungry and wants me to get up. When my alarm clock goes off, I don’t consider its needs. It is following an instruction to rouse me at a certain time but it doesn’t care if I stay in bed. It doesn’t try to get me up by other means. The dog, on the other hand, will go to plan B. She barks.This capacity for autonomous action was once a difference between animals and machines. AI has blurred the line. Advanced models devise their own strategies to reach a goal. The task might be defined by a human master, but the machine weighs its options for delivery. It can make its own choices. Given rules, it can break them. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
China's super-rich 'in shock' and hunting for cash as Beijing issues surprise tax on offshore trusts
Beijing's move to tax offshore trusts, long used by China's ultra-rich to hold money, has set off a rush to lawyers and a scramble for cash.
theguardian.com
Better off together: could combining pension pots boost your retirement income?
Many UK workers have cash in multiple schemes – should you roll them into one? There are pros and consHow many pensions do you have? In the days of a job for life, many people had just two: the state pension and the one offered by their employer. But a combination of people changing jobs more often and rules that force employers to enrol workers into schemes automatically, means you are likely to end up with more.The number of people saving into a private sector workplace pension has doubled since 2012 to reach 23 million, according to the Pensions Regulator, largely because of “auto-enrolment”. On top of that, millions of people have personal pensions and self-invested private pensions (Sipps). And some will have all three. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Bank battle: history suggests Burnham faces fight if he opts for windfall tax
As lenders’ profits soar, calls grow for a levy to help new PM ease cost of living pressures on householdsIt has been a stellar week for UK banks. Fuelled by high interest rates and market turbulence rippling out from the US war on Iran, major lenders have revealed soaring half-year profits that allowed bosses to boost bonus pots and give billions of pounds to shareholders.Collectively, the UK’s four largest lenders – HSBC, NatWest, Barclays and Lloyds – reported £29.2bn in profits over the first six months of the year, with almost half, £13.7bn, pledged to investors through dividends and share buybacks. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Trump says Iran will be 'hit very hard' if Hormuz Strait not open soon as oil prices fall
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both announced talks had progressed to allow shipments to resume.
bbc.co.uk
How tech is helping in the battle against wildfires
Tech is being used to watch for wildfires but firefighters are still needed to put them out.
bbc.co.uk
The cost of being single – and how friends are teaming up to beat it
Many singles face extra costs for housing, bills, food and holidays but there are ways to ease the burden.
bbc.co.uk
Fashion brand Jaded has ad banned for 'glamorising smoking'
The advertising watchdog said Jaded London's marketing email made smoking seem appealing.
bbc.co.uk
'I feel like I dug my own grave': The workers caught in the AI transition
AI is reshaping the Philippines' outsourcing industry, raising questions over the future of the industry.
cnbc.com
Michael Burry bets against rally: 'We are near a major top, and possible a 1987-type fall'
"I continue to believe it is possible we are near a major top, and possible a 1987-type fall," Burry said in a Tuesday Substack post.
theguardian.com
The Fifa family: which confederations could support Infantino or turn against him?
Gianni Infantino is under increasing scrutiny following his World Cup sell-off plan. We look at each confederation’s relationship with the presidentThe pressure is growing on the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, with many countries withdrawing their support following the bungled World Cup sell-off. However, how key is Infantino’s relationship with each confederation and is it likely that an election contest will actually happen? We look at the key considerations, confederation by confederation. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Paramount chief executive David Ellison breaks silence on Warner Bros mega merger
The chief executive of Paramount-Skydance says criticism of $110bn (£82m) merger with Warner Bros. relies on outdated Hollywood model.
theguardian.com
BP boss is unsentimental in pruning portfolio and clear on North Sea advice to Burnham | Nils Pratley
Meg O’Neill is overseeing rapid clearing of the decks at BP after strategic muddle of recent years, with ‘message’ for new PMBP boss urges Burnham to prioritise UK oil and gasRevealed: major oil firms make $93bn profits amid war and climate crisisBP will ignore “sentiment” and “history” in pruning its portfolio of assets, says its new-ish boss, Meg O’Neill. She demonstrated as much last week when putting the company’s 60-year-old North Sea oil and gas business up for sale, explaining on Tuesday that “it just doesn’t compete” in the internal battle for capital.Now comes a disposal that sends an equally unsentimental message about priorities. The US biogas business, Archaea, which was a prized acquisition in the brief green-tinged era of Bernard Looney, is on the block less than four years after BP bought it for $4bn (£2.98bn). Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Revealed: major oil firms make $93bn profits amid war and climate crisis
Iran conflict windfall over three months reignites calls for companies ‘cashing in on human misery’ to pay for environmental damageEight of the biggest oil companies amassed profits of more than $90bn (£67bn) in just three months as the Iran conflict sent energy prices soaring and the emissions-fuelled climate crisis caused deadly heatwaves.The windfall war profits have reignited calls for oil and gas supermajors such as Saudi Aramco and BP to pay for the environmental damage caused by “cashing in on human misery” and fund a rapid transition to renewable energy. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on Burnham and the devolved nations: a test for the new politics in Westminster | Editorial
The prime minister has unveiled his plans for English devolution. The picture in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is much less clear After early statements of intent on homelessness and social care, Andy Burnham capped his opening two weeks in office by addressing what one might call the English question. Plans for greater fiscal devolution to England’s mayoral authorities, unveiled last week, are part of what is perhaps the primary raison d’etre of Mr Burnham’s government: the need to rebalance power and resources, in a country where they have been skewed disproportionately towards London and the south-east. As the designated administrative hub of that political project, the creation of No 10 North in Manchester symbolises the ambition.Beyond England’s borders, however, the picture is much less clear. May’s elections in Scotland and particularly Wales were a disaster for Labour and Mr Burnham’s predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. Progressive nationalist parties now rule in each of the devolved nations. How the prime minister chooses to engage with them will be a test of the kind of politics of compromise and consensus-building he has said he is committed to.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Is Gianni Infantino’s time up as Fifa president? - The Latest
Gianni Infantino’s reign as Fifa president is in severe peril after the collapse of his plans to sell off parts of the World Cup to private investment. Many Concacaf countries are considering following Europe’s lead by formally removing their support for the Fifa president, and there are widespread calls to remove him from his post. Lucy Hough speaks to columnist Jonathan Liew Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How the dry weather affects your supermarket shop
Tomos Morgan visits farm in Vale of Glamorgan to explain how the hot and dry spell affects crops.
bbc.co.uk
Why Trump Media's sale of fast access to market-moving social posts is controversial
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) has set up a paid service to give Wall Street firms access to Truth Social's most influential accounts.
theguardian.com
Extreme heat: why our cities can't cope | Opinion
The UK and Europe have been facing extreme heatwaves – Greenpeace recorded temperatures of up to 53C at one London playground in recent weeks. It’s clear our cities are not equipped to deal with the soaring temperatures brought by the climate crisis. With the ‘Super El Niño’ on its way, next year is forecast to get even hotter. But is anyone really doing anything about it? The Guardian’s deputy opinion editor Kirsty Major goes in search of playgrounds that are adapting to our new reality Continue reading...
theguardian.com
My son has cancer. Kalshi wants you to be able to bet on his medical future | Joshua Pederson
The predictions market is planning to allow betting on clinical trial results and regulatory decisions as our family fights for his survivalMy son is 12 years old. No matter how many Legos we get him, he will only build robotic mechs. He draws haunting pictures in pen and ink but refuses to take an art class. He was devastated to learn that Chuck E Cheese is phasing out its animatronics. His guidance counselor says he’s so kind, he’s really hard to say no to. He sneezes when he steps out into the sunlight. And he also has a very aggressive tumor growing inches below his heart.Further, if Kalshi has its way, you could soon be able to bet on health treatments that could be essential to his survival.Joshua Pederson is professor of humanities at Boston University and the author of Sin Sick: Moral Injury in War and Literature Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump Fed chair’s inflation strategy: leave it to the market | Eduardo Porter
Kevin Warsh would rather stay out of the fray – and thus devalue the Fed’s credibility as an economic stewardIt must feel strange to argue that government action is inevitably counter-productive – illegitimate even – when the government is you.For the last half century, the Republican party has been comfortable with the contradiction. It’s framed in that clever quote from Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inaugural speech: “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” Solutions, in this view, are delivered by free, unencumbered markets. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
US water facilities targeted by ‘malicious cyber actors’ – who’s to blame?
Despite Trump’s efforts to blame Tim Walz and Minnesota, officials suspect Iran behind attacks on US infrastructureLate last week, federal authorities issued a stern warning saying “malicious cyber actors” were targeting water and wastewater facilities in at least seven states across the US. Minnesota appeared to be the hardest hit with 30 of its water systems hit by cyber-attacks, leading to disruptions in the state’s water supply.The problems ranged from low-pressure water flow in people’s homes to some utilities announcing boil-water notices. But there have been no reports of drinking water contamination. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Metro Bank customer fights for £14,000 refund after AI-linked fraud
Lender was told money was being taken without authorisation, with cash used to buy credits for Claude chatbotA Metro Bank customer has told of his fight to get more than £14,000 back after its systems failed to stop a fraud involving the AI chatbot Claude.Zoli Rutter, a businessman from Sussex, had a total of £14,244 taken from his bank account. The scam involved fraudsters buying credits to use Claude. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Nigel Farage and the £5m question that won’t go away – podcast
Reform UK’s finances have come under scrutiny like never before. What do we know about the party’s funding – and why do so many awkward questions remain for Nigel Farage? Anna Isaac explainsFor a while this year, it looked like nothing could stop Nigel Farage getting to Downing Street. Not the allegations of schoolboy racism, not the dodgy Cameo videos or even the £400,000 he trousered for advertising gold bullion.But at the end of April, the Guardian’s City editor, Anna Isaac, delivered a game-changing scoop. That Farage had been given a £5m gift, as he termed it, from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harbourne. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Assignment
How amid the tents and the rubble Gaza is developing once again as an unlikely tech hub
bbc.co.uk
Zinc dresses and ice creams - how to survive a heatwave wedding
The wedding industry is facing last-minute costs to cope with the heat and October bookings are up.
bbc.co.uk
Derelict former BHS site a 'continuing nightmare'
The former department store closed in 2016.
theguardian.com
I was fined £500 after putting a coffee cup in a rubbish bag next to a full bin
Reader expresses consternation after enforcement officer issues penalty notice outside station in LondonI was outside London Waterloo railway station and was looking for a bin to dispose of an empty coffee cup.The only bin I could see was completely full, but there was a plastic bag containing rubbish at the base. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘You owe parking fees’: experts warn of fake RingGo text scam
Criminals hope by using threats of enforcement action, people will panic and click link to bogus parking app siteYou use parking apps a lot – you have several on your phone – but it is not always straightforward. Sometimes there is a lack of reliable mobile signal, or the app crashes or behaves oddly, or it does not seem to want to accept your bank card.Also, it is sometimes hard to keep track of which apps you have used when. So when you receive a text from RingGo saying you owe it money, you are not totally surprised. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
India wants to join the strawberry superpowers
Indian strawberry farmers rely on varieties imported from the US and Europe, but that could change.
bbc.co.uk
The Chinese robot army transforming the UK's retail industry
Britain's weak productivity growth and labour shortages are creating an opportunity for China's robotics firms.
bbc.co.uk
How cow showers and fans help farmers keep cattle cool
Dairy farmers are using cow showers and fans to protect cattle as hotter summers hit milk production.
bbc.co.uk
Is it time to stop using glue and labels on paper?
Labels and adhesives can prevent paper from being recycled but there's new tech aimed at changing that.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
The 20-somethings betting big on tech stocks
The BBC hears from people about the risks and rewards of investing in technology shares.
bbc.co.uk
This farmer wanted to quit the cocaine industry - he couldn't
Colombians who grow cocaine's raw material bemoan a lack of support to help them switch crops.
bbc.co.uk
Is tracking your food purchases good for your health?
Food tracking apps are popular, but are they a good way to make us eat a healthier diet?
theguardian.com
AI and artists can click – a new manifesto for modern creativity
The UK is both an epicentre of global creative industries and a budding AI powerhouse. Here’s how it can balance support for creatives while also embracing technological changesWhat does it mean to be a creator in today’s modern world when artificial intelligence is reshaping relationships between humans and technology?That’s one critical question the UK creative industry has been asking itself as AI rips up traditional conventions on copyright, ownership, effort, and originality. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
bbc.co.uk
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
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